K9 Deacon and Citizen’s Tip Help Locate Fleeing Suspects

On January21st, just prior to 9:00 p.m., Spokane Valley Sheriff’s deputies responded to assist Post Falls Police officers who were entering Spokane County while in pursuit of a stolen vehicle on I-90.

The stolen vehicle continued to try and evade patrol units as the driver exited I-90 at Sullivan, traveled southbound to Broadway and turned westbound to Collins. Then, the driver turned south to Olive Avenue and turned east toward Vercler. The vehicle stopped
in the area of Olive and Vercler where the male driver and 2 female passengers bailed out of the vehicle and ran on foot.

Patrol units quickly began to set up a containment perimeter. Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputy Kullman and his K9 partner Deacon arrived within minutes and began a track of the suspects. Deacon continued the track which led to the 600 block of North Virginia
where the driver, identified as 28-year-old Mickey H. Santos (AKA: Marquette) and one of the female passengers, identified as 27-year-old Melissa A. Buchheit were found trying to hiding in the bed of a pickup. Once located, both were taken into custody without
incident.

Soon after, a Spokane Valley taxi driver approached the deputies and explained he had just received a call requesting a ride. The ride was for a female who was acting odd and was in a big hurry to be picked up at a business located in the 12500 block of East
Sprague, which is only a few blocks away from where the pursuit ended. The taxi driver explained he was listening to the incident on a scanner and suspected the female might be the one who hadn’t been located yet. Deputies stayed in contact with the taxi driver
as he arrived at the business and picked up the female. Deputies contacted the female, identified as 30-year-old Heidi S. Elliott and confirmed she was the suspect they were searching for.

During the search of the stolen vehicle several shaved keys were located. Elliott’s cell phone, which deputies learned was used to make a fake 911 call during the pursuit as a distraction, was also located inside the vehicle. During the fake call, a female
told dispatchers there had been a shooting at the Cabela’s in Post Falls.

All 3 suspects were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail.

Santos was booked for felony Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Attempting to Elude and a felony warrant.

Buchheit and Elliott were booked for felony Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and a misdemeanor, Possession of Motor Vehicle Theft Tools.

This is a great example of multiple law enforcement agencies working together with the assistance of an alert citizen to find and capture these suspects.